Panthers defenceman Adam Boqvist leaves game vs. Bruins

The Florida Panthers will have to play a man short on the blue line for the rest of the season opener against the Boston Bruins.

Defenceman Adam Boqvist was forced to leave the game after taking a puck to the face.

Boqvist was ruled out after getting hit by a clearing attempt in the first period.

The 24-year-old joined the Panthers after spending the last three seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Swedish defenceman has never played a full season in his five seasons in the NHL.

Fellow blue liner Aaron Ekblad took Boqvist’s spot on the team’s top power-play unit.